Mental Health Specialist

This position is located at the Wagner Service Unit and is under the direct supervision of the Director, Mental Health Program. Worker has the responsibility for providing Mental Health services to IHS eligible patients within the Wagner service area. The Service Unit includes an ambulatory clinic, ER facilities, outpatient department, field clinics, full range of Public Health programs, and a Mental Health Program with responsibilities for providing 24-hour comprehensive mental health services.

The position involves professional counseling requiring the exercise of mature professional judgement and the flexible use of a wide range of clinical skills in providing mental health services to patients experiencing a variety of psychiatric illnesses and emotional/psychological problems. provides therapeutic services based on comprehensive treatment plans that outline the therapeutic goals, methods and modality to meet the individualized treatment needs of each patient.

Develops and manages case management services for the IHS outpatient programs for patients requiring intensive treatment and referral services. Coordinates the referral of patients to non-IHS facilities and health care providers. Completes case documentation which meets accepted professional standards utilizing the Electronic Health Records (EHR) according to established policies and procedures.

Applies advanced knowledge of psychopathology and provides professional therapeutic techniques in conducting comprehensive evaluations of patients with a range of mental health issues. Evaluation will guide appropriate diagnosis as delineated in the standard psychiatric diagnostic classification of emotional and mental disorders with consideration for possible cultural influences/factors.

Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri. Corps) and other organizations (e.

g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. General Schedule Qualifications Standards

• Social Science Series 0101 (opm.gov) BASIC REQUIREMENT(S) : Degree: Behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experiencethat provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. OR Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, GS-101-09: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Provide basic assessment, diagnose, and treat a range of psychiatric illnesses; identify and assess psychosocial functioning; understand and respond to medical treatment; provide therapeutic intervention to improve wellness; provide intensive case management services to include liaison, consultation, and teaching relationships to multidisciplinary team; provide referral services and counseling to all age groups. OR Completion of 2 years (36 semester hours) of graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's that is directly related to the work of the position. OR A combination of education and experience, in one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field, that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The total percentage equals at least 100 percent to qualify for this GS-09 grade level. In addition to the Minimum Qualifications, you must also meet the Selective Placement Factor stated below. SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR, GS-0101-9: This position requires a current, unrestricted U.S. State license as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). (Must submit a copy of your license with your application). Your application must include documentation demonstrating that you meet selective placement factor. Applicants who do not meet these requirements will not receive further consideration. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, GS-101-11: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Collaborate with other health professionals to assess client needs; refer patients to community resources; provide individual or group counseling; coordinate care with expert diagnostic and treatment consultation to medical providers; assess in-patient needs and patient discharge planning; provide therapy to all age groups utilizing a variety of accepted treatment techniques; develop treatment plans; provide interventions surrounding drug, alcohol, co-occurring disorders, and crisis intervention to potentially life-threatening emergencies. OR Completion of 3 years (54 semester hours) of graduate level education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. that is directly related to the work of the position. OR A combination of education and experience, in one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field, that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The total percentage equals at least 100 percent to qualify for this GS-11 grade level. In addition to the Minimum Qualifications, you must also meet the Selective Placement Factor stated below. SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR, GS-0101-11 This position requires a current, unrestricted U.S. State license as a Licensed Professional Counselor-Mental Health (LPC-MH), or equivalent. (Must submit a copy of your license with your application) Your application must include documentation demonstrating that you meet selective placement factor. Applicants who do not meet these requirements will not receive further consideration. Time In Grade Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP). You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.

Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.ed.gov/accreditation . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

For further information, visit https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ . This position meets the criteria specified in pillar number one of the five pillars of the PHS Commissioned Corps. PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps MUST apply online under the merit promotion announcement indicated above in order to receive consideration.

For more information on PHS Commissioned Corps, visit the website at: https://www.usphs.gov/ .